January 2, 2014

Loading Photo Galleries ...

Detroit Free Press Sports Writer

Justin Abdelkader celebrates his game-tying goal late in the third period on Wednesday. / Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press

More

ADVERTISEMENT

Justin Abdelkader had a great time being a Spartan using Michigan Stadium as home turf.

Justin Abdelkader had a great time being a Spartan using Michigan Stadium as home turf.

He provided a late goal Wednesday at the Winter Classic that got the Red Wings at least a point, as they went on to lose 3-2 in a shoot-out to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Abdelkader scored at 14:28 of the third period.

He provided a late goal Wednesday at the Winter Classic that got the Red Wings at least a point, as they went on to lose 3-2 in a shoot-out to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Abdelkader scored at 14:28 of the third period.

“That goes up there as one of my bigger goals, one to remember for sure,” Abdelkader said. “It was unfortunate we didn’t win, but it was definitely memorable. Playing in the state of Michigan, and having played in the rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State, it was great to play here at the Big House. It was a lot of fun. I’m glad I got the opportunity.”

“That goes up there as one of my bigger goals, one to remember for sure,” Abdelkader said. “It was unfortunate we didn’t win, but it was definitely memorable. Playing in the state of Michigan, and having played in the rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State, it was great to play here at the Big House. It was a lot of fun. I’m glad I got the opportunity.”

Abdelkader, 26, already had turned pro when his Spartans took on the Wolverines on Dec. 11, 2010, at Michigan Stadium, in an event known as the Big Chill. He learned Wednesday just how challenging it is to play outdoors.

Abdelkader, 26, already had turned pro when his Spartans took on the Wolverines on Dec. 11, 2010, at Michigan Stadium, in an event known as the Big Chill. He learned Wednesday just how challenging it is to play outdoors.

“The snow was coming down hard the entire game, didn’t know if it was going to stop or not,” he said. “Then you have to fight the wind. Then you’re cold on the bench.

“The snow was coming down hard the entire game, didn’t know if it was going to stop or not,” he said. “Then you have to fight the wind. Then you’re cold on the bench.

“It wasn’t easy, but if you talk to any of the guys, I don’t think they would have had it any other way. “

“It wasn’t easy, but if you talk to any of the guys, I don’t think they would have had it any other way. “

Abdelkader had kept the puck in Toronto’s zone on Wednesday’s play, going to the net as teammates chased the puck behind the goal line. Brendan Smith skated in front of James van Riemsdyk to get the puck and found Abdelkader, who went to his backhand.

Abdelkader had kept the puck in Toronto’s zone on Wednesday’s play, going to the net as teammates chased the puck behind the goal line. Brendan Smith skated in front of James van Riemsdyk to get the puck and found Abdelkader, who went to his backhand.

“He’ll make big plays,” coach Mike Babcock said of Abdelkader. “He is a big player. Brings it every day to practice and games. He’s just going to get better. He’s got a reasonable skill set. But his determination is so good, his skill set is going to grow. He’ll be a real important part for the team.

“He’ll make big plays,” coach Mike Babcock said of Abdelkader. “He is a big player. Brings it every day to practice and games. He’s just going to get better. He’s got a reasonable skill set. But his determination is so good, his skill set is going to grow. He’ll be a real important part for the team.

“We don’t have a lot of big heavy forwards, and he’s one for us. He’s growing into his body, growing into his game, and he’s an important player for us.”

“We don’t have a lot of big heavy forwards, and he’s one for us. He’s growing into his body, growing into his game, and he’s an important player for us.”

Abdelkader had a standout season in the first part of 2013, emerging as an ideal winger for Pavel Datsyuk after demonstrating a willingness to go into corners to chase down the puck for Datsyuk, and to play in front of the net. He’s continued to be in the top-six mix most of this season, as the Wings have come to rely on his skating and heavy presence.

Abdelkader had a standout season in the first part of 2013, emerging as an ideal winger for Pavel Datsyuk after demonstrating a willingness to go into corners to chase down the puck for Datsyuk, and to play in front of the net. He’s continued to be in the top-six mix most of this season, as the Wings have come to rely on his skating and heavy presence.